Analytical appliance cartridge with retrieval mechanism, and set of the cartridge and analyzer

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an analytical tool cartridge comprising a case having therein a storage space and a retrieval port that communicates the storage space with an external space, and a plurality of analytical tools stored in the storage space in a stacked state. This analytical tool cartridge further has a retrieval mechanism for retrieving the analytical tools one at a time from the case via the retrieval port. The analytical tool cartridge may also further have an opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the retrieval port. The present invention also provides a set of the analytical tool cartridge, and an analyzer that is constituted so as to have installed therein an analytical tool retrieved from the analytical tool cartridge, and analyze a specific component in a specimen liquid supplied onto the analytical tool. At least one of the analytical tool cartridge and the analyzer has provided therein cartridge fixing means for locating and fixing the analytical tool cartridge onto the analyzer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an analytical tool cartridge in whichare stored a plurality of analytical tools.

The present invention also relates to a set of the analytical toolcartridge, and an analyzer that is constituted so as to analyze aspecific component in a specimen liquid with an analytical toolinstalled therein.

BACKGROUND ART

A common method of measuring the concentration of a specific componentin a body fluid, for example glucose in blood, uses a redox reactionwith an oxidoreductase as a catalyst. Moreover, simple blood sugar levelmeasuring apparatuses of a size that will fit in the palm of the handhave become widely used so that blood sugar level can be measured easilyat home, at a travel destination, and soon. With such a simple bloodsugar level measuring apparatus, for example, as described in JapanesePatent Application Laid-open No. 4-357449, a biosensor that provides anenzyme reaction site and is constituted so as to be disposable isinstalled in the apparatus, and then blood is supplied onto thisbiosensor, whereby the blood sugar level is measured.

As shown in FIG. 11, the installation of the biosensor 91 into thesimple blood sugar level measuring apparatus 90 is generally carried outby the user holding the biosensor 91, and inserting the biosensor 91into an insertion port 92 of the simple blood sugar level measuringapparatus 90. With such a biosensor 91 installation method, there havebeen the following problems.

The biosensors 91 are each sold, for example, in a state individuallyhoused in packaging comprising a laminated aluminum sheet. In this case,to install a biosensor 91 in the simple blood sugar level measuringapparatus 90, first the biosensor 91 must be removed from the packaging.This operation must be carried out every time the blood sugar level isto be measured, which is troublesome, and is inconvenient in particularfor people with failing eyesight or elderly people.

The biosensor 91 is of a chip shape with a width dimension ofapproximately 0.5 to 1 cm and a length dimension of approximately 2 to 5cm, and the insertion port 92 of the simple blood sugar level measuringapparatus 90 has an opening portion of a size corresponding to the crosssection of the biosensor 91. The operation of inserting the biosensor 91into the insertion port 92 is thus not necessarily easy, beinginconvenient in particular for people with failing eyesight or elderlypeople.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to installan analytical tool in an analyzer through a simple operation.

An analytical tool cartridge provided according to a first aspect of thepresent invention is an analytical tool cartridge comprising a casehaving therein a storage space and a retrieval port that communicatesthe storage space with an external space, and a plurality of analyticaltools stored in the storage space in a stacked state, the analyticaltool cartridge further comprising a retrieval mechanism for retrievingthe analytical tools one at a time from the case via the retrieval port.

The analytical tool cartridge preferably further comprises anopening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the retrieval port,this being to prevent dust and moisture from infiltrating in via theretrieval port. The retrieval mechanism and the opening/closingmechanism may be constituted from a single operating body. In this case,the operating body is made to comprise an engaging projection forintegrally moving one of the analytical tools upon the operating bodybeing moved in a specific direction from a standby state, a closingportion that closes up the retrieval port in the standby state, and anopening portion that opens up the retrieval port upon the operating bodybeing moved in the specific direction from the standby state. Theoperating body preferably further has an operating portion for makingmoving the operating body easy.

The case has, for example, an annular wall portion that defines thestorage space and has the retrieval port provided therein. In this case,the operating body is formed in a loop, is disposed along an outersurface of the annular wall portion, and is constituted so as to bemovable relative to the annular wall portion.

Each of the analytical tools preferably has an engaging portion withwhich the engaging projection engages. This engaging portion isconstituted from a recess or a projection provided in or on theanalytical tool. In the case that the analytical tool has a capillary,an air release port communicating with the capillary may be used as theengaging portion.

The storage space in the case preferably has a desiccant housed thereinin advance. As a result, the storage space is dehumidified, and hencedegradation of the analytical tools by humidity is suppressed. It ispreferable to dehumidify the storage space in particular in the casethat the analytical tools have a reagent layer containing an enzyme orthe like.

The analytical tools are, for example, stored in the storage space in astate supported by a platform. In this case, the desiccant is fixed tothe platform. The fixing of the desiccant is carried out, for example,by kneading the desiccant in the form of granules together with a resinmaterial, thus dispersing the desiccant in the resin, or by attaching adesiccant powder to the surface of the platform.

In the case that the analytical tools are supported by a platform, theanalytical tools are preferably supported in a biased state. The bias ofthe analytical tools is carried out, for example, using a coil spring, aleaf spring, or an elastic body such as a foam or rubber.

As described above, the operating body moves relative to the case; aguiding portion for guiding the operating body during this movement ispreferably provided on the case. The guiding portion is, for example,constituted as a groove or projection provided in or on the case.

It is preferable, for example, for the storage space to have thereinstacked on top of the analytical tools an information outputting chipfrom which can be outputted information relating to properties of theanalytical tools. Examples of the information outputted from theinformation outputting chip include information relating to thesensitivity of the analytical tools (information necessary for selectinga calibration curve in the analyzer), and individual information on theanalytical tools (date of manufacture, time limit for usage,manufacturer, location of manufacture (country, factory), etc.).

If such an information outputting chip is housed uppermost in thestorage space in advance, then the information outputting chip will beretrieved from the analytical tool cartridge first. Consequently, whenthe analytical tool cartridge is used, the analyzer can be made aware ofinformation relating to the properties of the analytical tools first.For example, in the case that the information from the informationoutputting chip is information necessary for selecting a calibrationcurve, the possibility of one neglecting to select the calibration curveis reduced. With this method of selecting the calibration curve, thereis also no need for a user to carry out a troublesome operation such ascarrying out a button operation on the analyzer, and hence the burden onthe user when selecting the calibration curve can be reduced.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a set ofthe analytical tool cartridge according to the first aspect of thepresent invention as described above, and an analyzer that isconstituted so as to have installed therein an analytical tool retrievedfrom the analytical tool cartridge, and analyze a specific component ina specimen liquid supplied onto the analytical tool, wherein theanalytical tool cartridge and the analyzer have provided thereincartridge fixing means for locating and fixing the analytical toolcartridge onto the analyzer.

The cartridge fixing means is, for example, constituted so as to havefirst stopper faces for restricting movement of the analytical toolcartridge in a direction orthogonal to each of a direction of stackingof the analytical tools and a direction of insertion of the analyticaltools, and second stopper faces for restricting movement of theanalytical tool cartridge in the direction of stacking of the analyticaltools.

The first stopper faces are, for example, provided on the analyzer, andthe second stopper faces are, for example, provided on the analyticaltool cartridge. More specifically, the cartridge fixing means is, forexample, constituted from notches provided in the case, and recessedportions provided in the analyzer.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a set ofthe analytical tool cartridge according to the first aspect of thepresent invention as described above, and an analyzer that isconstituted so as to have installed therein an analytical tool retrievedfrom the analytical tool cartridge, and analyze a specific component ina specimen liquid supplied onto the analytical tool, wherein theanalyzer has an inserting portion into which an end portion of theanalytical tool is inserted, and the analytical tool cartridge and theinserting portion have provided therein analytical tool fixing means forfixing the analytical tool in the analyzer.

The analytical tool fixing means comprises, for example, a projectionthat is provided on one of the analytical tool and the insertingportion, and a recess that is provided in the other thereof and engageswith the projection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view for explaining an example of a setof an analyzer and a sensor cartridge according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor cartridge shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of a biosensor shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are sectional views for explaining an operation ofretrieving a biosensor from the sensor cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7A to 7D are sectional views of main parts for explaining anoperation of installing a biosensor into the analyzer from the sensorcartridge.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are sectional views of main parts for explaining anotherexample of an operating belt in the sensor cartridge.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are sectional views of main parts for explaining anexample in which members for moving a biosensor and a notchopening/closing member are constituted as separate bodies in the sensorcartridge.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are sectional views showing another example of a methodof retrieving a biosensor from the sensor cartridge.

FIG. 11 is an overall perspective view for explaining a conventionaloperation of installing a biosensor into an analyzer.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Following is a concrete description of best modes for carrying out thepresent invention, with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a set of a sensor cartridge 1 and an analyzer 2 accordingto the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor cartridge 1 holds a plurality ofbiosensors 3, and is constituted such that the biosensors 3 can beretrieved one at a time. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensor cartridge1 has a case 4, and an operating belt 5 that moves (rotates) relative tothe case 4.

The case 4 has first and second members 41 and 42 that are formed, forexample, by resin molding, and a storage space 43 for storing theplurality of biosensors 3 is formed through the first and second members41 and 42 being joined together.

The first member 41 has a plate-shaped portion 44 and an annular wallportion 45. The plate-shaped portion 44 has a notch 44A providedtherein. The second member 42, on the other hand, has a form similar tothat of the plate-shaped portion 44 of the first member 41. That is, thesecond member 42 also has a notch 42A therein. Each of the notches 42Aand 44A has a base face 42Aa or 44Aa and two tapering faces 42Ab or44Ab, and has a shape that progressively opens out toward the outside.As will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, thesenotches 42A and 44A are used to locate and fix the sensor cartridge 1onto the analyzer 2 when a biosensor 3 retrieved from the sensorcartridge 1 is to be installed in the analyzer 2.

The annular wall portion 45 of the first member 41 projects out from aperipheral portion of the plate-shaped portion 44 in the thicknessdirection of the plate-shaped portion 44, and has an upper wall portion45A, side wall portions 45B and 45C, and a bottom wall portion 45D. Aslit 46 is provided between the upper wall portion 45A and the side wallportion 45B. This slit 46 communicates the storage space 43 with theoutside, and is for retrieving an uppermost biosensor 3 out to theoutside when this biosensor 3 is moved in the direction of the arrow Bin the drawings. A plurality of projections 47 are provided on aperiphery of the annular wall portion 45. These projections 47 have afunction of guiding the operating belt 5 when the operating belt 5 isrotated. Such projections 47 may also be provided on the second member42, or the guiding function may alternatively be achieved by providinggrooves in the first or second member 41 or 42.

The upper wall portion 45A has two slits 45 a provided therein, and hasa stopper 45 b provided thereon. The slits 45 a extend in the directionof the arrows A and B in the drawings, and penetrate through the upperwall portion 45A. Engaging claws 51 of the operating belt 5, describedlater, are passed through the slits 45a, and movement of these engagingclaws 51 in the direction of the arrows A and B is permitted by theslits 45 a. The stopper 45 b extends in the thickness direction of theplate-shaped portion 44, and restricts the movement of the operatingbelt 5.

A platform 49 that is supported by a spring 48 fixed to the bottom wallportion 45D is housed in the storage space 43. This platform 49 isbiased by the spring 48 toward the upper wall portion 45A side. Theplurality of biosensors 3 are sandwiched in a stacked state between theplatform 49 and the upper wall portion 45A by the resiliency of thespring 48. The plurality of biosensors 3 are thus held in the storagespace 43, i.e. inside the case 4.

Note that a constitution may be adopted in which, when the sensorcartridge 1 is shipped out, there is a calibrating chip (omitted fromthe drawings) housed on top of the plurality of biosensors 3, and thiscalibrating chip is retrieved first. Here, the calibrating chip is, forexample, used, in the case that the analyzer 2 stores data for aplurality of calibration curves, for selecting the calibration curvefrom out of these calibration curves that best fits the sensitivity ofthe biosensors 3. Consequently, if it is made to be such that that thecalibrating chip is retrieved first when using the sensor cartridge 1,then the possibility of one neglecting to select the calibration curveusing the calibrating chip is reduced. Moreover, if it is made to besuch that the calibration curve is selected using such a calibratingchip, then the necessity of carrying out a troublesome operation (forexample a button operation carried out by a user on the analyzer 2 whenselecting the calibration curve) is eliminated, and hence the burden onthe user when selecting the calibration curve can be reduced.

As the platform 49, it is preferable to use one having a dehumidifyingfunction. As a result, even in the case that the biosensors 3 are proneto being degraded by humidity, this can be suppressed. As such aplatform 49, for example, one obtained by kneading together athermoplastic resin and a powder of a desiccant such as silica and thenmolding, one obtained by attaching a desiccant in the form of a powderor the like to a plate of a resin, a metal or the like, or one obtainedby fixing a desiccant into a porous body can be used. In the case thatthe platform 49 is not given a dehumidifying function, it is preferableto put a desiccant into the storage space 43 in advance.

The spring 48 is, for example, constituted as a leaf spring, and isintegrated with the first member 41. The spring 48 is integrally moldedwith the first member 41 when molding the first member 41, or else aleaf spring formed as a separate member is integrated with the firstmember 41 by insert molding when molding the first member 41. Note,however, that from the viewpoint of operability and manufacturing cost,the spring 48 is preferably integrally molded with the first member 41.A coil spring, or an elastic body of a resin foam, a rubber or the likecan of course be used instead of a leaf spring.

As shown clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, each biosensor 3 has a constitutionin which a cover 32 is attached to a substrate 30 via spacer 31. Thebiosensor 3 has a channel 33 formed therein between the substrate 30 andthe cover 32. This channel 33 is communicated to the outside via aspecimen introduction port 33 a and an air release port 33 b. Thebiosensor 3 further has provided therein two recesses 34 and 35 thateach extend in the width direction of the substrate 30. The recess 34 isused when moving the biosensor 3 together with the operating belt 5 asdescribed later with reference to FIG. 5. The recess 35, on the otherhand, is used when installing the biosensor 3 in the analyzer 2 asdescribed later with reference to FIGS. 7C and D. Note that the recesses34 and 35 penetrate through both the spacer 31 and the cover 32 here,but do not necessarily have to be formed so as to penetrate through boththe spacer 31 and the cover 32.

An upper surface 30 a of the substrate 30 has provided thereon a workingelectrode 36, a counter electrode 37, a pair of detecting electrodes 38(hereinafter these are sometimes referred to collectively as the‘electrodes 36 to 38’), and a reagent layer 39.

The working electrode 36 and the counter electrode 37 are used, forexample, for measuring the amount of electrons supplied from the reagentlayer 39 as a response current when a fixed potential is applied to thereagent layer 39. On the other hand, the pair of detecting electrodes 38are used to judge whether or not blood has been introduced into thechannel 33 of the biosensor 3. One end portion 36 a, 37 a or 38 a ofeach of the electrodes 36 to 38 is not covered by the spacer 31 or thecover 32, but rather is exposed. These end portions 36 a, 37 a and 38 aconstitute terminal portions for contacting with terminals 28 of theanalyzer 2, described later (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

The reagent layer 39 is, for example, solid, and is formed so as tocover the electrodes 36 to 38. The reagent layer 39 comprises, forexample, a relatively small amount of an oxidoreductase dispersed in arelatively large amount of a mediator (an electron transporter). An ironcomplex or a ruthenium complex can, for example, be used as the electrontransporter. The oxidoreductase is selected in accordance with the typeof the specific component that is to be subjected to the concentrationmeasurement. Examples of the specific component include glucose,cholesterol and lactic acid. Examples of oxidoreductases for suchspecific components include glucose dehydrogenase, glucose oxidase,cholesterol dehydrogenase, cholesterol oxidase, lactic aciddehydrogenase, and lactic acid oxidase.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5A, the operating belt 5 has the form of aloop overall, and is stretched around an outer surface of the annularwall portion 45 of the first member 41. The operating belt 5 has thereona knob 50, the pair of engaging claws 51, a closing portion 52, and anopening portion 53.

The knob 50 is for moving (rotating) the operating belt 5 relative tothe annular wall portion 45, and hence the case 4, along the outersurface of the annular wall portion 45.

The pair of engaging claws 51 are passed through the slits 45 a in theupper wall portion 45A of the annular wall portion 45, with ends thereofthat project out through the slits 45 a engaging into the recess 34 in abiosensor 3. Upon operating the knob 50, the pair of engaging claws 51move through the slits 45 a, and at the same time move relative to theupper wall portion 45A. At this time, because the engaging claws 51 areengaged into the recess 34, through the operation of the knob 50, thebiosensor 3 is also moved relative to the annular wall portion 45, andhence the case 4. The number and shape of the engaging claws 51 is notlimited to being as in the example shown in the drawings, but ratherdesign modification is possible.

The closing portion 52 closes up the slit 46 in the annular wall portion45 in a standby state (a state when a biosensor 3 is not to beretrieved). As a result, the storage space 43 in the case 4 is keptairtight in the standby state, whereby degradation of the biosensors 3by moisture, and short-circuiting between the electrodes 36 to 38 ofeach of the biosensors 3 due to dust and so on are suppressed.

The opening portion 53 is for opening up the slit 46 in the annular wallportion 45 when the operating belt 5 is moved relative to the annularwall portion 45 as shown in FIG. 5B, i.e. when a biosensor 3 is moved.As a result, the biosensor 3 held in the storage space 43 can bedischarged out from the storage space 43. When the stopper 45 b of thecase 4 is positioned in the opening portion 53, and the stopper 45 b andan edge defining the opening portion 53 interfere with one anotherthrough the movement of the operating belt 5, the movement of theoperating belt 5 is restricted.

With the sensor cartridge 1 having the above constitution, in thestandby state, as shown in FIG. 5A, the engaging claws 51 of theoperating belt 5 are engaged in the recess 34 of the uppermost biosensor3, and moreover the biosensor 3 is biased upward. As a result, it ismade to be such that upon moving the operating belt 5, only theuppermost biosensor 3 can move relative to the case 4. Moreover, theslit 46 in the case 4 is closed up by the closing portion 52 of theoperating belt 5. As a result, the inside of the case 4 is kept airtightin the standby state.

As shown in FIG. 5B, if the knob 50 is operated and moved in thedirection of the arrow B in the drawings, then the engaging claws 51 andthe closing portion 52 move in the direction of the arrow B togetherwith the knob 50. At this time, the operating belt 5, while being guidedby the plurality of projections 47 on the case 4, moves (rotates) alongthe outer surface of the annular wall portion 45. When the operatingbelt 5 is rotated, the closing portion 52 moves away from the slit 46,and the opening portion 53 of the operating belt 5 comes to bepositioned at the slit 46, whereby the storage space 43 is communicatedto the outside. Moreover, because the engaging claws 51 are engaged inthe recess 34 of the biosensor 3, upon the engaging claws 51 moving inthe direction of the arrow B, the biosensor 3 also moves in thedirection of the arrow B. Because the biosensors 3 are biased upward,and the slit 46 is opened up by the movement of the knob 50, onebiosensor 3 only is discharged from the slit 46. At this time, becausethe biosensors 3 are biased upward in the case 4, all of the pluralityof biosensors 3 move upward, the biosensor 3 has been completelydischarged from the case 4, the knob 50 is then moved in the directionof the arrow A so as to move into the standby state shown in FIG. 5A. Asa result, the engaging claws 51 of the operating belt 5 are engaged intothe recess 34 of the biosensor 3 that is now uppermost, and hence thestandby state is achieved.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the analyzer 2 is constituted, for example,so as to measure the concentration of a specific component in a specimenliquid supplied onto a biosensor 3 using an electrochemical method. Thisanalyzer 2 comprises a holding portion 20 onto which the sensorcartridge 1 can be located and fixed, and an inserting portion 21 forinserting a biosensor 3, and also has a display 22 and operating buttons23.

The holding portion 20 is a portion onto which the notches 42A and 44Aof the sensor cartridge 1 engage, and comprises a pair of recessedportions 24 and 25. These recessed portions 24 and 25 each have atapering face 24 a or 25 a and guide faces 24 b or 25 b. The distancebetween the guide faces 24 b or 25 b of each of the recessed portions 24and 25 spreads out toward the edge for a portion near to the edge, andcorresponds to the distance between the second member 42 and theplate-shaped portion 44 of the first member 41 of the case 4 for aportion far from the edge. Moreover, the slope of the tapering faces 24a and 25 a of the recessed portions 24 and 25 corresponds to the slopeof the tapering faces 42Ab and 44Ab of the notches 42A and 44A in thecase 4. Consequently, when the sensor cartridge 1 is to be installedonto the analyzer 2, because the portion of each of the recessedportions 24 and 25 near to the edge opens out toward the edge, alignmentof the notches 42A and 44A of the sensor cartridge 1 can be carried outeasily, and moreover for the holding portion 20, the notches 42A and 44Aof the sensor cartridge 1 and the recessed portions 24 and 25 of theholding portion 20 can easily be fitted together. At this time, movementin the thickness direction of the analyzer 2 is restricted by thenotches 42A and 44A, and moreover movement in the thickness direction ofthe sensor cartridge 1 is restricted by the guide faces 24 b and 25 b ofthe recessed portions 24 and 25. As a result, the sensor cartridge 1 isfixed properly positioned onto the analyzer 2.

The inserting portion 21 is formed between the recessed portions 24 and25 of the holding portion 20, and has therein a holding space 26 inwhich can be housed an end portion of a biosensor 3. A projection 27 athat projects out downward is formed on an upper wall face 27 definingthe holding space 26. This projection 27 a fits into the recess 35 ofthe biosensor 3 when the biosensor 3 has been inserted into the holdingspace 26 as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D. As a result, the biosensor 3 iskept installed in the analyzer 2. Furthermore, a plurality of terminals28 (in the drawings only one terminal 28 is shown) extend out into theholding space 26. The plurality of, for example four, terminals 28 aredisposed in positions corresponding to the end portions 36 a to 38 a ofthe electrodes 36 to 38. Each terminal 28 is biased downward.Consequently, when a biosensor 3 has been inserted into the holdingspace 26, the substrate 30 of the biosensor 3 is sandwiched between theterminals 28 and a lower wall face 29 defining the holding space 26. Atthis time, the plurality of terminals 28 contact the end portions 36 ato 38 a of the electrodes 36 to 38.

A biosensor 3 is installed into the analyzer 2 using the sensorcartridge 1 through the following operations.

First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the sensor cartridge 1 is located and fixedonto the analyzer 2. As described above, this locating and fixing iscarried out by fitting the notches 42A and 44A of the sensor cartridge 1onto the holding portion 20 of the analyzer 2. At this time, the slit 46of the sensor cartridge 1 (the case 4) and the inserting portion 21 ofthe analyzer 2 are also aligned with one another.

Next, a biosensor 3 is discharged from the sensor cartridge 1 followingthe procedure described earlier with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B,whereby the biosensor 3 is installed in the analyzer 2. Morespecifically, the knob 50 of the sensor cartridge 1 is moved in thedirection of the arrow B by, for example, a manual operation of a user,whereby the biosensor 3 moves in the direction of the arrow B, and isdischarged from the sensor cartridge 1. At this time, as shown in FIG.7B, the biosensor 3 is inserted from an end portion 30b thereof into theinserting portion 21 of the analyzer 2. Upon moving the biosensor 3further in the direction of the arrow B, as shown in FIG. 7C, the endportion 30 a of the substrate 30 is sandwiched between the terminals 28and the lower wall face 29, and moreover the projection 27 a engagesinto the recess 35 in the biosensor 3. With the biosensor 3 fixed in theanalyzer 2 in this way, the sensor cartridge 1 is separated away fromthe analyzer 2 in the direction of the arrow A as shown in FIG. 7D,whereby the biosensor 3 is installed in the analyzer 2.

Moving on, concentration measurement with the analyzer 2 (see FIGS. 3and 4) is carried out by supplying a specimen liquid onto the biosensor3 via the specimen introduction port 33 a. The specimen liquidintroduced in from the specimen introduction port 33 a travels throughthe channel 33 toward the air release port 33 b. At this time, aspecific component in the specimen liquid reacts with the reagent layer39, and hence the mediator is reduced or oxidized. If a voltage isapplied to the reagent layer 39 via the end portions 36 a and 37 a, thenelectron transfer between the working electrode 36 and the mediator thentakes place. The amount of this electron transfer is measured by theanalyzer 2 using the working electrode 36 and the counter electrode 37.This amount of electron transfer correlates to the concentration of thespecific component, and hence the concentration of the specificcomponent can be calculated by measuring the amount of electrontransfer. Regarding the detecting electrodes 38, on the other hand, bymeasuring the amount of electron transfer for these electrodes, it canbe detected whether the specimen liquid has been supplied onto thebiosensor 3.

With the present embodiment, a biosensor 3 can be installed in theanalyzer 2 merely by locating and fixing the sensor cartridge 1 onto theanalyzer 2 and then moving the knob 50. The locating and fixing of thesensor cartridge 1 onto the analyzer 2 can be carried out easilyutilizing the notches 42A and 44A of the sensor cartridge 1 and therecessed portions 24 and 25 of the analyzer 2, and moreover theoperation of moving the knob 50 is also extremely easy. In this way,with the present embodiment, a biosensor 3 can be installed in theanalyzer 2 through extremely simple operations, and hence a biosensor 3can be installed with no problems even by people with failing eyesightor elderly people.

The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, butrather various design modifications are possible. For example, regardingthe sensor cartridge 1, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, instead of anoperating belt in the form of a loop, an operating belt 5′ in the formof a band may be used, and as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the members formoving a biosensor 3 and the member for opening and closing the slit 46in the case 4 may be formed as separate bodies.

In the example shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a part from the operating belt5′ being formed in the form of a band, the operating belt 5′ has asimilar constitution to the operating belt 5 described earlier; theoperating belt 5′ is provided so as to cover the slit 46 and the upperwall portion 45A of the annular wall portion 45. The two ends of theoperating belt 5′ are fixed to the annular wall portion 45 of the case 4by coil springs B1 and B2. In a natural state, the slit 46 is closed upby a closing portion 52′, and engaging claws 51′ are engaged into therecess 34 of a biosensor 3. When a knob 50′ is moved in the direction ofthe arrow B in the drawings by a manual operation of a user or the like,the biosensor 3 moves in the direction of the arrow B, and moreover anopening portion 53′ comes to be positioned in a place corresponding tothe slit 46, and hence the slit 46 is opened up. As a result, thebiosensor 3 is discharged from the slit 46. If the force acting on theoperating belt 5′ is then released, the operating belt 5′ thenautomatically returns to its natural state through the forces of thesprings.

On the other hand, in the example shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, an operatingbelt 5″ having a knob 50″ and engaging claws 51″ integrally moldedthereon is fixed to the annular wall portion 45 of the case 4 by aspring B1. The slit 46 in the case 4 is closed up by a curtain 52″. Ifthe operating belt 5″ is moved, then a biosensor 3 is pushed out fromthe case 4 while pushing the curtain 52″ out of the way. If the forceacting on the knob 50″ is released, the operating belt 5″ thenautomatically returns to its original position through the elastic forceof the spring B1.

Moreover, regarding the method of moving a biosensor 3 through themovement of the knob 50, design modification is possible as shown, forexample, in FIGS. 10A to 10C. FIG. 10A shows an example in which aprojection 34′ is provided on the biosensor 3, and the biosensor 3 ismoved through the engaging claws 51 pushing the projection 34′, FIG. 10Bshows an example in which the biosensor 3 is moved through the engagingclaws 51 pushing a rear end of the biosensor 3, and FIG. 10C shows anexample in which the engaging claws 51 engage into the air release port33 b provided in the biosensor 3, and the biosensor 3 is moved in thisstate.

Moreover, various design modifications are also possible with regard tothe method of locating and fixing the sensor cartridge onto theanalyzer, or fixing a biosensor in the analyzer. For example, it ispossible to provide a recess in the inserting portion of the analyzer,and provide a projection that engages into this recess on eachbiosensor.

1. An analytical tool cartridge comprising: a case including a storage space and a retrieval port that communicates the storage space with an external space; and a plurality of analytical tools stored in the storage space in a stacked state; the analytical tool cartridge further comprising a retrieval mechanism for retrieving the analytical tools one at a time from the case via the retrieval port.
 2. The analytical tool cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising an opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the retrieval port.
 3. The analytical tool cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the retrieval mechanism and the opening/closing mechanism are constituted from a single operating body, the operating body comprising: an engaging projection for integrally moving the analytical tools upon the operating body being moved in a specific direction from a stand by state; a closing portion that closes up the retrieval port in the standby state; and an opening portion that opens up the retrieval port upon the operating body being moved in the specific direction from the standby state.
 4. The analytical tool cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the case includes an annular wall portion that defines the storage space and has the retrieval port provided therein, the operating body being formed in a loop, disposed along an outer surface of the annular wall portion, and movable relative to the annular wall portion.
 5. The analytical tool cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the analytical tools each include an engaging portion with which the engaging projection engages.
 6. The analytical tool cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the operating body includes an operating portion for applying a load to and thus moving the operating body.
 7. The analytical tool cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the storage space has a desiccant housed therein.
 8. The analytical tool cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the analytical tools are stored in the storage space in a state supported by a platform, the desiccant being fixed to the platform.
 9. The analytical tool cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the analytical tools are stored in the storage space in a state supported by a platform, and are supported in a state biased by the platform.
 10. The analytical tool cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the case is provided with a guiding portion for guiding the operating body when the operating body is moved.
 11. The analytical tool cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the storage space has therein stacked on top of the analytical tools an information outputting chip from which can be outputted information relating to properties of the analytical tools.
 12. The analytical tool cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the information outputting chip outputs information relating to a calibration curve.
 13. A set of an analytical tool cartridge and an analyzer, the set comprising: a case including a storage space and a retrieval port that communicates the storage space with an external space; and a plurality of analytical tools stored in the storage space in a stacked state, the analytical tool cartridge further comprising a retrieval mechanism for retrieving the analytical tools one at a time from the case via the retrieval port, the analyzer being constituted so as to have installed therein an analytical tool retrieved from the analytical tool cartridge, and analyze a specific component in a specimen liquid supplied onto the analytical tool, at least one of the analytical tool cartridge and the analyzer being provided with cartridge fixing means for locating and fixing the analytical tool cartridge onto the analyzer.
 14. The set of an analytical tool cartridge and an analyzer according to claim 13, wherein the cartridge fixing means includes first stopper faces for restricting movement of the analytical tool cartridge in a direction orthogonal to each of a direction of stacking of the analytical tools and a direction of insertion of the analytical tools, and second stopper faces for restricting movement of the analytical tool cartridge in the direction of stacking of the analytical tools.
 15. The set of an analytical tool cartridge and an analyzer according to claim 14, wherein the first stopper faces are provided on the analyzer, the second stopper faces being provided on the analytical tool cartridge.
 16. The set of an analytical tool cartridge and an analyzer according to claim 15, wherein the cartridge fixing means is constituted from notches provided in the case, and recessed portions provided in the analyzer.
 17. A set of an analytical tool cartridge and an analyzer, the analytical tool cartridge comprising: a case including a storage space and a retrieval port that communicates the storage space with an external space; and a plurality of analytical tools stored in the storage space in a stacked state, the analytical tool cartridge further comprising a retrieval mechanism for retrieving the analytical tools one at a time from the case via the retrieval port, the analyzer being constituted so as to install an analytical tool retrieved from the analytical tool cartridge, and to analyze a specific component in a specimen liquid supplied onto the analytical tool, the analyzer including an inserting portion into which an end portion of the analytical tool is inserted, the analytical tool cartridge and the inserting portion being provided with analytical tool fixing means for fixing the analytical tool in the analyzer.
 18. The set of an analytical tool cartridge and an analyzer according to claim 17, wherein the analytical tool fixing means comprises a projection provided on one of the analytical tool and the inserting portion, and a recess provided in the other thereof for engaging with the projection. 